Disabled man has job application to become bin man rejected twice despite working for free
The young man, who had been dreaming of being a garbage collector since the age of two, experienced great sadness when his job application was rejected twice, even though he did an unpaid internship for nine months.
Bryan Rowe, 21, aspires to be a sweeper but feels he is “not good enough” for his dream job after the local council rejects him.
Bryan, who has myotonic dystrophy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), worked as a waste management loader for nine months as part of his supported internship.
After completing the unpaid role other roles became available and she was encouraged to apply, but was left “heartbroken” after being rejected twice.
Bryan’s mother, Claire Rowe, said it was his dream job and that he had been obsessed with being a garbage man from a very young age.
The 21-year-old, from Sholing in Southampton, Hants, has continued to seek a seat on Southampton City Council but is not looking at specific opportunities to continue his work.
His first placement lasted from November 2024 to June 2025 and he has been looking for work since then.
Myotonic dystrophy is a muscular dystrophy that affects muscles and organs throughout the body, causing progressive muscle degeneration with weakening and shrinkage of muscle tissue.
Bryan said: “After two meetings with my local council, I felt very disappointed that I didn’t get the job. I told my mother I wasn’t good enough to get anything, even a garbage man job.
“Someone from the senior team would always ask me if I enjoyed being there and I would always say yes.
“I don’t know what to do because that’s all I want to do, but I don’t want to sit around and do nothing.”
Ms Rowe said: “He’d been there for about nine months and the council had no problem with him, then all of a sudden he’s not good enough and can’t take on the role.”
“He worked for free for nine months, was always enthusiastic and on time.
“How are people supposed to get enough experience?”
Ms Rowe said she made a formal complaint to the council and was told the recruitment services were under review.
He said since leaving university last summer his son had tried to get a bin worker position with other local authorities and was also involved in private waste work, but without success.
She said: “Bryan was heartbroken about this but came back with his head held high and completed his installation.
“If that’s not a kick in the teeth, I don’t know what is.
“He is so upset, he said he doesn’t want to bother applying anymore because no one wants him.
“Even though Bryan can do it, we want him to do it because there may be a time when his myotonic dystrophy sets in and stops him.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Southampton City Council is committed to fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment processes.
“We cannot comment on individual applications or personal circumstances, but recruitment decisions are made through formal interview processes that are reviewed to ensure they are fair and equitable, with the appropriate involvement of HR.
“The council continues to keep recruitment practices under review to ensure they are as inclusive and accessible as possible.”
